Sunday, November 18, 2012

World Health Organisation

The World Health Organization says hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with
casualties and short on supplies.
Reuters reports that the U.N. health agency appealed for $10 million from
donors to meet the need for drugs and supplies over the next three months.

The WHO, quoting Health Ministry officials in Gaza, said 382 people have been
injured - 245 adults and 137 children.
"Many of those injured have been admitted to hospitals with severe burns,
injuries from collapsing buildings and head injuries," the WHO said in a
statement issued in Geneva.
Health authorities have declared an emergency situation in all hospitals to
cope with patients, it said.
"Before the hostilities began, health facilities were severely over stretched
mainly as a result of the siege of Gaza," the WHO said. Israel maintains a tight
blockade on the Gaza Strip with the help of neighbouring Egypt.
The Gaza Ministry of Health's supplies of many life-saving drugs and
disposable equipment were at "zero stock", it said.
"The Ministry of Health has postponed all elective surgeries due to the
emergency and shortages in anaesthesia drugs," it said. Non-urgent cases are
being transferred to hospitals run by aid groups and health personnel have been
asked to report to the nearest health facility for extended shifts, it said.
"WHO appeals to the international and regional community for urgent financial
support to provide essential medicines to cover pre-existing shortages, as well
as emergency supplies for treating casualties and the chronically ill," it
said......"